ExOne debuts S-MAX Pro 3D printer and announces Siemens partnership

ExOne says Siemens' integration will add more value to its foundry and manufacturing customers.

ExOne has debuted its latest industrial sand 3D printing system designed for both prototyping and industrial series production.

Launched at the GIFA trade fair in Germany today, the company’s latest generation S-MAX Pro machine promises print speeds of up to 135 litres per hour enabling two full 1,800 x 1,000 x 700 (mm) build box with a volume of 1,260 litres each, to be printed in a single day.

The machine has been equipped with a newly developed printhead and fully automated recoater, while materials can easily be replaced. It also features cloud connectivity to allow for process and machine monitoring to detect and automatically correct any potential errors.

This so-called “box-in-a-box” system is said to meet market requirements for 24/7 operation of a fully automated, scalable production line for the manufacture of complex parts with various casting materials.

“This is an exciting time for ExOne,” said John Hartner, CEO, ExOne. “With the recent release of our X1 25PRO 3D metal printer, and now the launch of our new S-MAX Pro 3D industrial sand printer, ExOne is delivering leading-edge 3D binder jetting technology solutions to a broad range of industries and applications around the world.”

Also announced today, ExOne is partnering with Siemens in a bid to leverage the benefits of Industry 4.0. for the "digital foundry". The partnership sees the implementation of Siemens’ Digital Enterprise Portfolio of software and automation technology including MindSphere, Siemens’ open cloud-based IoT operating system, onto the new S-Max Pro.

The portfolio comprises hardware, software and services based around the “Digital Twin”, a shared data model across the entire value chain from machine concept to simulation and operations. Furthermore, ExOne’s ‘3D Live’ app, which runs on MindSphere, allows operators to analyse machine data and other relevant information in real-time to identify anomalies for improving maintenance and repair activities. ExOne believes this integration will add more value to its foundry and manufacturing customers.

Dr. Karsten Heuser, Vice President of Additive Manufacturing at Siemens Digital Industries, commented: “We are proud to further strengthen our partnership with ExOne and advance the industrialisation of additive manufacturing. Siemens brings new digital technologies and its profound industrial domain knowhow to help ExOne generate further value. The new ExOne S-Max Pro 3D printer proves that seamlessly integrated software and automation solutions result in shorter time to market, higher performance and maximum availability.”